Kyrie Irving Trade: Breaking Down The Biggest Trade Of The Year
It's been a rollercoaster year for Kyrie Irving and the NBA. After a tumultuous three-year run with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics in August 2017. After a promising first season in a Celtics uniform, Irving requested a trade in December 2018, citing differences with teammates and a desire to find a better situation for himself. In February 2019, Irving was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal that sent D'Angelo Russell, Timofey Mozgov, and a future first-round pick to the Celtics.
The trade was seen as a win-win for both teams, as it allowed the Celtics to get younger and more athletic, while also giving the Nets a star point guard to build around. With the dust settling on the trade, we take a look at what each team got in the deal and how it has impacted their respective franchises.
Boston Celtics:
The Celtics received a haul in the Kyrie Irving trade, as they received All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell, veteran center Timofey Mozgov, and a future first-round pick in exchange for Irving. While the Celtics did give up a star player in Irving, they were able to get a younger and more athletic player in Russell, as well as a future draft pick.
The Celtics have been able to use the pick they got in the trade to acquire more talent, as in the 2019 draft they used the pick to select Romeo Langford. Langford has been a promising young player for the Celtics, and the Celtics have also used the pick to acquire another young player in guard Matisse Thybulle.
The Celtics also got a veteran presence in center Timofey Mozgov, who has been a valuable asset off the bench for the Celtics. Mozgov has provided the Celtics with a big body to clog up the paint, and he has been a steady presence on the defensive end of the court.
Brooklyn Nets:
The Nets were the big winners in the Kyrie Irving trade, as they were able to acquire a star point guard to pair with budding star forward Caris LeVert. Irving has been a revelation for the Nets, as he has been the leader of the team and has taken them to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons in Brooklyn.
Irving has also been a major factor in the Nets' success, as he has been able to draw double teams and create open shots for his teammates. Irving has also been a great mentor for LeVert, teaching him how to play the point guard position at a high level.
The Nets also got a valuable asset in the trade in the form of D'Angelo Russell, who has blossomed into an All-Star in his own right. Russell has been a great fit in the Nets' system, as he has been able to space the floor and play off of Irving's penetration.
Conclusion:
The Kyrie Irving trade was a win-win for both teams, as the Celtics were able to acquire younger and more athletic players, as well as a future draft pick, while the Nets were able to acquire a star point guard to pair with LeVert and become a legitimate playoff contender. In the end, the trade has been a success for both teams, as each team has been able to improve their respective rosters and become better teams.
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